Jacob Russell made amends with a superb late penalty save to earn Ashford a point at promotion rivals Whitehawk.

Russell conceded direct from a corner as Charlie Harris’ early goal put the Hawks in front on Tuesday night.

Danny Parish and a Gary Lockyer penalty turned the match Ashford’s way, only for Joel Daly to level before half-time.

The Nuts & Bolts dug in well defending Whitehawk’s notorious slope in the second half but were facing defeat when the hosts were awarded a spot-kick.

Russell, however, kept it at 2-2 with a full-stretch dive to deny Harris and send Ashford home with a share of the spoils.

“I felt for Jacob because the corner’s gone straight in,” said Ashford manager Tommy Warrilow.

“It is his fault but it was harsh on him because the No.9 has done a clever bit of movement in front of him.

“He was down about it at half-time but he’s kept us in it with a fantastic penalty save.

“I’m delighted for him because I know it bothered him, what happened in the first half.”

The point kept Ashford sixth in Isthmian South East, behind Whitehawk, who occupy the final play-off spot, on goal difference.

“Everyone knows it’s a game of two halves when you go to Whitehawk, because of that slope,” said Warrilow.

“I said to Shaun Saunders, their manager, either it’s getting worse or I’m feeling older. It’s unbelievable.

“It’s a good point. I said to the boys before the game the press we’ve been getting lately hasn’t been very positive news because of all the players leaving.

“I said to them a lot of people think you’re done, so you’ve got to dig in as a group and come out fighting.

“I’ve got to say, I can’t fault them. I thought they were brilliant.”

Ashford, who meet Sittingbourne at Homelands this Saturday (3pm), won 2-0 at Haywards Heath on Saturday.

George Nikaj scored both goals - a pair of outstanding strikes - in the final game of his latest loan spell from Dover.

He’s back with the Whites now and pushing for National League South football under their new boss, Mitch Brundle.

“George is such a talent,” said Warrilow, who hopes to have two new signings in place before the Brickies game.

“It’s done him no harm coming to us for the three months he’s had over the two spells.

“For a 19-year-old lad, he’s grown so much and I hope he continues to do that back at Dover.

“I can’t see why he can’t push on and have a good career.

“Every time he got the ball on Saturday, it felt like something was going to happen. He got two fantastic goals.

“We’ll keep in touch from a football point of view but also a personal point of view because all the lads loved him.

“I must have asked Mitch six times if we could have him for one more game but I totally understand why we couldn’t.

“If he’s in line to play for Dover on Saturday, the last thing they wanted was for him to play for us at Whitehawk and get injured.

“I hope he goes back there and gets a run of games.”